FriendlyScore writes

The tooth fairy, generous grandparents, and a weekly pocket allowance all need to go somewhere, but instead of your child stashing this cash into a piggy box, or splashing it at the toy shop, why not encourage them to put it into a bank account so they can watch it grow.

'A fool and his money are soon parted', is a saying that dates back to 16th Century England, and is still true today. Spending money is easy. Too easy. Temptation is everywhere, and we think we will be happy once we have the all the material things we want. But stop for a moment – would you rather have things or financial freedom?

The festive season is almost upon us, so it’s time to get shopping. According to GoCompare, the average household spends an average of more than £700 over the Christmas period, with more than half of that going towards presents for friends and family.

Taxes aren’t the sexiest subject on the planet, but if you are new to the UK, you will need to have an overview of how the tax system works and what you need to do to make sure you are on the right side of the law. Fines for non-payment of taxes can be hefty and in the worse cases, can even carry a prison sentence.

If you are new to the UK, the rental market can appear a bit baffling. Unlike the rest of Europe, finding good quality, affordable rented accommodation in the UK is not that easy. Over the last year alone there has been a 20% drop in available rented accommodation. At the same time, rent prices are shooting up – as much as 24% in some of the wealthier London Boroughs, such as Kensington & Chelsea.

Saving and investing can both be great ways to build up your cash for the future, whether you want to put money towards retirement, buying a house or car, or even a holiday. Saving and investing aren’t the same things though, and people often find their differences confusing to understand. On top of that is the question of which method is the best for your circumstances.

Premium Bonds are the most popular form of savings account in the UK, with more than 21 million people across the country holding at least one. In total the best part of an incredible £72 billion are held within Premium Bonds.

If you’ve recently passed your driving test, it’s now time to shop around for car insurance to make sure you’re legally allowed to drive on the roads. With multiple providers offering different packages and prices, it’s important to do your research before making the final decision.

Getting a mortgage if you’re self-employed may be harder but it certainly isn’t impossible. Ultimately, you need to prove that you have a reliable income and there are loads of ways you can do this – you may just need to try a bit harder. We’ve rounded up the best advice on how to secure a mortgage if you’re self-employed.

We’ve all been there …… looking at an empty bank account, a bare cupboard and a full 10 days until payday. Suddenly, that spending spree at the beginning of the month isn’t looking quite so clever. Another month where good intentions have gone out the window, and you are looking at a very boring, not to mention stressful, time trying to make ends meet. So just how can we make our money last all month, while still having the occasional treat?

Pensions are complicated. Sometimes it is hard to plan what is going to happen next week, let alone in twenty or thirty years. The government has been encouraging us to pay into pension schemes and save for our retirement and offered some tax incentives to do so. But what exactly are we paying for and what do we hope to receive at retirement age?

Budgets are super useful tools for helping you to feel more on top of your finances. Using a budget, you can work out whether you spend more than you earn, where you spend most of your money, and how much you can actually afford to pay out on a monthly basis.